Archive

Tag Archives: dailyprompt

In response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Buffalo Nickel. Dig through your couch cushions, your purse, or the floor of your car and look at the year printed on the first coin you find. What were you doing that year?

And the year happen to be 2008.

The most significant, meaningful and unforgettable things that happen in 2008 was that, I started dating a beautiful lady, which today become my wife for 5 years and counting.

In response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Burnt. Remember this prompt, when your home was on fire and you got to save five items? That means you left a lot of stuff behind. What are the things you wish you could have taken, but had to leave behind?

Alright, so the fire is out, and I’m sitting out of my house, cigarettes in one hand, and bad beer at nearby convenience store in another hand. Looking down below to the 5 precious item that I have saved, I’m mourning for the following stuff that I wish I can took with me:

My Books. Before the kindle and e-book era, I have a lot of books, to name few, the Lonely Planet Guidebook. There are some romance in looking to the book rack with tons of book lining up in it, although I’m not planning to read it anyway.

My Wedding Ring. It was lost somewhere in the house, and yet to be found. Too bad, the house got burnt before I can find it

Photo albums. Well, the fact that I have my photo backup hard drive with me make it easy to just reprint the whole thing. But there are still photo that exist pre digital photography. That is the one that I miss.

My Lego. It took a while to collects all those minifigurines, you know.

From my travel experience, I kind of have a list of travel essentials that I need to make sure to have with me all the time. There are only three things, and I think all of them is applicable in case my house is on fire:

Wallet. In it is ID, driving license, money, ATM and Credit Card, good to buy anything that I need

Passport, because getting a new one is a hassle, and so I can still travel somewhere else if needed

Mobile Phone, so I can be reached, and I can reach my friends and family to tell them that I’m safe

And these additional 2 is something outside my travel packing list, but I would definitely secure if my house is on fire.

My backup hard drive. In it is all of my photo during my young, adulthood, and my son’s photo and video. Irreplaceable.

And finally, my iPad, so I can still keep writing and blogging

This post is written in response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Burning Down the House. Your home is on fire. Grab five items (assume all people and animals are safe). What did you grab?

It took me a while to come out with list of things that I will never want to do. So, after almost 1 month of thinking, this is the thing that I will never, ever, want to do for the rest of my life.

Taking PhD. I told all my friends when I got my Master Degree: “I will never, ever, return to formal school to take my PhD. Remind me, knock my head, and wake me up if I ever tell you guys that I want to go back to school for PhD”. Six years later, I still chant the same line to friends who asked whether I still plan to go back to school.

Climbing the Everest. Yes, it is the highest mountain in the world. Yes, it is the pinnacle of human endurance. But, the thing is that, I don’t feel challenged or intrigued. I never really have much affection towards mountain anyway.

So, that’s all for now. I will come back to this post again should I have another in mind.

When someone mention the word “Oasis” to me, the first thing that come to me is ocean. The word Oasis is generally attached to an area with water and lush vegetation in the middle of dessert. Oasis was, and still provide water and relieve to the weary soul that has been passing through. And so does ocean to me. Whenever my soul feel tired or weak, getting to the beach, or even just inhaling the smell of ocean wind will usually recharge my soul.

There are one occasion in 2004, when I was traveling to Bangkok fur business trip. I was so tired, weary, and uncomfortable from the trip, for the reason that I don’t know why. The symptom was only relieved when I smell the ocean from the boat that is cruising along Chao Phraya river.

Another oasis that is less potent, but still able to provide significant relieve to my weary soul, is not actually a place, but an activity. Running has been my escape when I need to catch my breath, whenever I feel tired. It is much easier to do than going to a beach.

Of course, the most perfect oasis to catch my breath will be running on the beach, barefoot.

Edit on 9 Jan: Starbucks have also become a new Oasis to me (Thanks vinuhwin for the reminder). Each time I need to catch my breath, a simple chat with Starbucks barrista (sometime as simple as: how is your commute today?), and people watching will provide the necessary relieve.